Music

Ruarri Joseph grew up in Cornwall, spending his childhood in Callestick and Newquay. He worked with various bands, learning his trade, until the birth of his daughter persuaded him to go solo.

For the past three years life has been a non-stop rollercoaster since Ruarri's acclaimed, debut album, 'Tales Of Grime And Grit', with hit singles, a headline UK tour and a summer spent on festival stages.

It all started in 2006 when the Cornish singer/songwriter signed to the world famous record label which was once home to acts like Aretha Franklin and The Drifters; Atlantic Records.

Ruarri tells the story in his own words on his website ruarrijoseph.co.uk:

"...As if by magic I got spotted and signed by the mighty Atlantic Records. I then had a year of playing with everyone from Paolo Nutini and David Gray to Funeral for A Friend and Cake and put a record out called 'Tales of Grime and Grit'.

Ruarri Joseph

"After a year of that, the major label thing didn't feel like the right road for me the time. No regrets having done it though as I've made some genuine friends and learnt enough to be able to try and stand on my own two feet for the time being."

After leaving Atlantic Records Joseph retreated to the shed at the bottom of his garden with an assortment of instruments to start the recording of his second album, 'Both Sides of the Coin'.

Each instrument played in the recordings – including guitars, drums, banjo, accordion and harmonica – was played by Ruarri, despite having to move them in to his shed one at a time.

Ruarri describes the album as the musical inspiration from what has been a turbulent few months in the lives of the singer's family and friends and the renewed optimism as things got better for the people he cares about.

The album was released in February 2009.